Merchants expect to sell more than 1,600,000 turkeys

For this year, the supply of turkeys for the Christmas and New Year campaign will be 1 million 621,000, with all production being exclusively national, reported the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri).

This figure represents a drop of 7.4% compared to 2022when the stock was 1,750,000 turkeys, while compared to the pre-pandemic period – which reached 2.1 million – the reduction is 22%.

“Businessmen have requested smaller quantities from poultry companies, which only produce upon request. Fewer turkeys have been placed for this campaign, which is due to the economic conditions of Peru, which is in recession,” Javier Paredes Durand, a specialist in the Midagri Statistics Directorate, told La República.

It should be noted that, of the total available, 1.31 million units will be turkeys frozen whole, and will be destined for corporate sales and different supermarket and retail chains.

The other 312,000 units are live turkeys, which will be sold in poultry distribution centers. The weight of each whole turkey varies between 5 and 13 kilograms.

Export and consumption

Unlike 2022, when 872 tons of turkey were exported, This year there is no record of shipments abroad.

Paredes explained that the reasons are related to the sanitary conditions of raising birds, such as turkey, and the alert generated by avian flu.

In contrast, imports of frozen turkey meat have increased by 58% compared to last year.

According to estimates of the Midagriit is expected that the consumption of this animal will reach 1.07 kilograms per inhabitant per year, which represents an increase of 1.2%.

However, there has also been a decline of 11.4% in national production in the last eleven months.

How much is the turkey?

In the retail markets of Lima, a kilo of frozen turkey is between S/12 in the Limoncillo Market (Rímac), S/13 in the La Aurora Market (Cercado de Lima), and even reaches S/16 in the market Chacra Colorada (Breña).

Meanwhile, in supermarkets such as Plaza Vea, Wong, Tottus, Metro and Vivanda, the cost of this bird is sold between S/13.60 and S/16.90 per kilogram. That is, on average it is S/15.11.

In this sense, With S/120.88 a family could purchase an 8 kilo turkey.

This value is similar to last year during these dates (S/15.73), but merchants emphasize that as December 25 approaches, these will tend to change due to the offer. This includes the fact that, after the fortnight, citizens will receive their gratification or bonus.

It is important to note that the sale of live turkeys takes place from December 22 to 24.

Among the options, there are also giant turkeys, which weigh more than 20 kilos. Its cost varies between S/16, while a kilo of free-range turkey reaches S/19. Approximately, one megaturkey could be equivalent to S/347.

Another classic alternative for consumers is the piglet, whose sales increase after December 25, since it is usually intended for New Year’s dinner. Current prices range between S/30 and S/35 per kilogram.

More than 30 million panettones will be sold

According to Pío Pantoja, president of the Peruvian Association of Bakery and Pastry Entrepreneurs (Aspan), It is expected to sell 30 million panettones this month.

Additionally, another option that is taking flight are artisanal panettone. For this reason, it is estimated that 6,000 bakers will sell more than 9 million of this product during the Christmas season.

Between January and October of this year, the export of panettones totaled US$5.9 million, evidencing a growth of 6% compared to the same period in 2022, according to the Idexcam of the Lima Chamber of Commerce. This product reaches 23 countries around the world.